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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for CNC Manufacturing Director

💰 $130,000 - $200,000

ManufacturingOperationsEngineeringCNCMachiningLeadership

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires an experienced and results-driven CNC Manufacturing Director to lead all aspects of precision CNC operations for high-mix, mission-critical parts. The CNC Manufacturing Director will set operational strategy and standards, optimize throughput and quality across turning, milling, multi-axis and Swiss-style centers, lead CNC programming and tooling initiatives, manage capital investments, and partner with engineering, quality and supply chain to meet customer delivery, cost and compliance objectives (ISO/AS9100/ITAR). This role reports to the VP of Manufacturing/Operations and will own people development, safety culture and continuous improvement for multiple production facilities or a large single plant.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • CNC Plant Manager / CNC Manager
  • Manufacturing Engineering Manager (Machining)
  • Production Manager — Precision Machining
  • Operations Manager with machining background

Advancement To:

  • Vice President of Manufacturing / Global Operations
  • Head of Global Machining or Precision Manufacturing
  • Chief Operations Officer (for smaller/medium enterprises)

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Quality (AS9100/ISO lead)
  • Director of Supply Chain / Procurement (sources for machining)
  • Director of Engineering (application/production engineering)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Own end-to-end CNC manufacturing operations for turning, milling, mill-turn and multi-axis centers, including production planning, scheduling, capacity management and on-time delivery for monthly volume targets and customer SLAs.
  • Lead and develop managers and multi-shift teams (supervisors, CNC programmers, setup techs, machinists) to meet productivity, quality and safety KPIs while reducing labor variability and turnover.
  • Establish and execute the plant’s CNC strategy: cell layout, tooling standards, fixturing, workholding, and automation (robotics/loaders) to improve machine utilization and reduce cycle time by targeted percentages.
  • Drive CNC programming excellence by standardizing programming practices, overseeing CAM toolpath development (Mastercam, Siemens NX, Fusion 360), and approving G-code for complex multi-axis components to minimize scrap and rework.
  • Manage CAPEX budgeting and execution for machine tool purchases, retrofits, automation, and metrology equipment (CMMs, vision systems), including vendor selection, ROI analysis and installation planning.
  • Implement Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to identify, lead and sustain kaizen events that improve flow, reduce setup time (SMED), and improve first-pass yield.
  • Ensure product and process compliance with quality systems and industry standards such as ISO 9001, AS9100, ITAR and NADCAP where applicable; lead internal and external audits and corrective action programs.
  • Own tooling strategy and inventory control: specify cutting tools, gauges, suppliers, and tooling life standards to reduce tooling spend while stabilizing part quality and cycle time.
  • Collaborate with Product Engineering and Program Management during new product introduction (NPI) to ensure manufacturability, robust process plans, first article inspection (FAI), and control plans are in place.
  • Establish and maintain statistical process control (SPC), capability studies (Cp/Cpk), process flow charts, and control plans to drive predictable machining processes and reduce variation.
  • Direct root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) for machining defects using methodologies such as 8D, DMAIC, fishbone and 5 Whys, and communicate lessons learned across plants.
  • Oversee inspection and metrology processes including CMM programming, fixture repeatability studies, calibration schedules and final inspection criteria to meet contract and customer specifications.
  • Maintain strong supplier and vendor relationships for machine tools, tooling, fixtures, and outsourced machining; negotiate contracts and implement vendor scorecards to improve on-time delivery and quality.
  • Manage production cost and margin by driving waste-out initiatives, scrap reduction, labor efficiency improvements and continuous cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) monitoring for high-volume and low-volume product lines.
  • Develop and execute workforce planning, recruitment and skills development for CNC trades; implement training programs and apprenticeship models to build a stable, skilled machining workforce.
  • Set and monitor safety programs, enforce machine guarding, lockout/tagout, JSA/JHA processes, and environmental compliance to drive zero-harm culture and lower recordable incident rates.
  • Champion digital transformation initiatives: integrate CNC controls data, OEE tracking, tool management systems and MES/ERP interfaces (SAP, Oracle/NetSuite) to improve real-time decision making.
  • Create and maintain robust maintenance and reliability plans for CNC assets including preventative maintenance, TPM, spare parts strategy and downtime root cause tracking.
  • Lead cross-functional programs such as capacity expansions, lead-time reduction, supply risk mitigation, and customer remediation projects with clear project plans, milestones and stakeholder communications.
  • Own quote-to-manufacture transition for CNC-built products: support estimating, propose lean production approaches for new programs, and validate production costs and timelines pre-award.
  • Coordinate with Sales and Customer Service on capacity commitments, lead-time expectations, technical clarifications and on-site customer audits to preserve relationships and revenue streams.
  • Monitor and report operational metrics (OEE, throughput, on-time delivery, quality yield, scrap, cost per part) to executive leadership and implement corrective plans where performance deviates from targets.
  • Champion sustainability and waste reduction initiatives in machining operations, including coolant management, recycle initiatives and energy optimization of machine tools and facility systems.
  • Maintain a continuous improvement roadmap for machining technology, toolholding, process automation and workforce capabilities to keep the shop competitive and technologically current.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional R&D and prototyping teams to evaluate manufacturability and scale-up plans for new technologies or materials (exotics, titanium, Inconel).
  • Participate in customer technical reviews, audits, and corrective action follow-ups; serve as the primary technical liaison for machining-related escalations.
  • Contribute to corporate strategic planning and capital planning cycles by evaluating long-term machining capacity requirements and technology investments.
  • Partner with IT, MES and controls engineers to define data collection requirements, machine telemetry plans, and KPI dashboards to enable predictive maintenance and process optimization.
  • Lead cost-reduction initiatives with procurement and engineering to consolidate suppliers, standardize raw material and tooling specifications, and qualify alternate sources.
  • Support manufacturing documentation control including process sheets, operator work instructions, CNC program archives, revision control and NDAs for proprietary programs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert-level CNC programming and G-code validation experience across 3-, 4- and 5-axis milling and multi-axis turning centers; proven experience with Fanuc, Haas and Siemens controls.
  • Proficiency with CAM software: Mastercam, Siemens NX CAM, Autodesk Fusion 360, PowerMill or Vericut for toolpath verification and optimization.
  • Deep understanding of GD&T, engineering drawings, tolerancing and geometric inspection methods for precision components.
  • Metrology and inspection skills including CMM programming and operation, calipers, micrometers, vision systems and automated inspection fixtures.
  • Strong background in Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma (Black/Green Belt preferred), TPM, SMED and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Statistical process control (SPC) and process capability analysis (Cp/Cpk) implementation and interpretation.
  • Experience with ERP/MRP and MES systems (SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Epicor, Plex) and integrating machine data for production planning and traceability.
  • Knowledge of quality systems and regulatory standards: ISO 9001, AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR compliance where applicable.
  • Budgeting, financial acumen and P&L responsibility for production operations including CAPEX planning and cost-reduction program management.
  • Tooling and fixture design experience, including vendor qualification and tool lifecycle optimization.
  • Familiarity with robotic automation, part loading systems, and Industry 4.0 concepts such as IIoT and predictive maintenance platforms.
  • Experience with safety standards, machine guarding best practices, and environment, health & safety (EHS) programs.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic leadership with proven ability to translate business goals into operational execution and measurable results.
  • Strong coaching and talent development skills; ability to build high-performing teams and succession plans for technical roles.
  • Excellent communicator — able to present technical and financial information clearly to executives, customers and cross-functional teams.
  • Change agent mindset with demonstrated success leading complex transformation and continuous improvement programs.
  • Analytical problem-solver using data-driven approaches to diagnose root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
  • Customer-focused orientation with the ability to manage customer expectations and act as technical escalation point.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance urgent production issues with long-term improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborative and diplomatic: ability to influence stakeholders across engineering, quality, procurement and sales.
  • Resilient under pressure and effective in high-mix, fast-paced manufacturing environments.
  • Ethical decision making and strong commitment to workplace safety and regulatory compliance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree (MS/MBA) in Manufacturing, Operations Management, Engineering Management or related discipline.
  • Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP or relevant quality certifications are highly valued.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Manufacturing / Industrial Engineering
  • Operations Management
  • Applied Technology / Machining Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 10–20+ years in manufacturing with significant experience in precision CNC machining and production leadership.

Preferred:

  • 15+ years total manufacturing experience with at least 5–10 years in leadership roles directly managing CNC operations, multi-shift environments and cross-functional teams. Prior experience implementing Lean manufacturing, CAPEX procurement for machine tools, and managing quality systems (ISO/AS9100) is strongly preferred.
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